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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marks 152nd Observance of Juneteenth

Published

7 years ago

June 19, 2017

In celebration of Juneteenth, Congresswoman Lee released the following statement to commemorate the holiday:

“Today we pause to celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth – the day in 1865 when news of slavery’s end finally made its way to Galveston, Texas. More than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, news of the Proclamation and the Union’s victory in the Civil War had not reached Galveston, Texas. On this day, 152 years ago, all African Americans could finally claim their freedom.

“Each year Juneteenth compels us to confront the darkest chapter in American history, a chapter that was born in the Middle Passage, nurtured through slavery and institutionally preserved for hundreds of years. On Juneteenth we remember the millions of children, women, and men who were abused, massacred, and sold as property in this country. In doing so, we also honor the courageous champions who fought to end slavery and the thousands of unsung heroes whose names we will never know. But as we remember the strength of our ancestors and celebrate the end of slavery, we also acknowledge the inescapable legacy of racism and discrimination slavery that still lingers in our society.”

“This year especially, Juneteenth should serve as a reminder that the struggle for equality is far from over. African-Americans continue to face disparities in education, healthcare and economic security and innocent men and women continue to lose their lives to the forces of fear and ignorance deeply rooted in our broken criminal justice system.

“Today, as we celebrate Juneteenth may we recognize the systemic and institutional racial biases that continues to plague our society. We must recommit ourselves to addressing them with ceaseless fortitude.”

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

5 days ago

April 26, 2024

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

2 weeks ago

April 19, 2024

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”